Meet Your Therapist
I have a broad background in psychology, including a 37-year career as a psychology professor at Ripon College. Beginning as an “academic psychologist”, I began re-specializing in Counseling Psychology more than 20 years ago and have been a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin since 2012.
My long-time experience of teaching college classes in Motivation, Personality, Counseling, Psychological Disorders, and many other topics has been extremely valuable in providing a solid scientific and theoretical foundation that guides my therapeutic work.
Why I Work with Ketamine
I became interested in the therapeutic use of psychedelics about five years ago while reading Michael Pollan’s book How to Change Your Mind. The book provides a good history of the 1960s when psychedelics were used extensively and successfully in therapy. Research in this area has undergone a revitalization over the past fifteen years, providing new insights into the beneficial effects of psychedelics when used in a therapy setting with guidance from a trained mental health professional.
To become a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, I completed a 2-year advanced training program with Fluence, earning a certificate in Psychedelic and Harm Reduction Integration. I then pursued additional professional training with Fluence specific to the use of Ketamine, and obtained a certificate in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).
For the last three years, I have also been part of a research team at UW-Madison studying the effectiveness of psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT in the treatment of substance use issues and depression.
My Approach
My treatment approach is person-centered, which means that I believe people already have the resources and skills they need inside of them and benefit from help and support to use those resources to find their own way to cope and grow. I enjoy taking a strength-based approach that focuses on what people already do well and how to use those strengths to reach their full potential.
"The simplest way I can describe what Ketamine-assisted therapy with Joe has done for me is brought me a sense of peace. A sense that even during a time in my life where I was facing change and uncertainty, I knew I was going to be okay. My values became very clear, fear no longer had a place to call home and the "should's" and "should not's" didn't matter anymore. I found self-acceptance, love and compassion for myself and others. Joe took such great care to ensure my therapy was meaningful to me. The time he spent with me before, during and after the actual Ketamine session made all the difference." (Erin - May 2025)
My New Book
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
My new book has just been published!
You can find it on Amazon
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Read a 2025 interview with Roger Mathews in the Ripon Commonwealth Press
Psychedelics and Mental Health
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Jamaica Trip with Ripon Students
Watch my December 2024 presentation on Psychedelics and Mental Health at the Ripon Public Library on YouTube
Jamaica Trip with Ripon Students
Jamaica Trip with Ripon Students
Jamaica Trip with Ripon Students
The Cross-Cultural Psychology class trip to rural Jamaica in Ripon College News
Catching Up with Joe Hatcher
Jamaica Trip with Ripon Students
Catching Up with Joe Hatcher
Read a 2023 interview with Jonathan Bailey in the Ripon Commonwealth Press
My Year in Prison
Jamaica Trip with Ripon Students
Catching Up with Joe Hatcher
Read a 2009 interview with Ian Stepleton in the Ripon Commonwealth Press
Professional Publications
Professional Publications
Professional Publications
Access my publications at Research Gate